1. Invest in interior and exterior protective accessories
To keep your car fresh, and looking its best, it’s wise to invest in some protective accessories that you can purchase (and replace, if necessary) cost effectively.
Be sure to ask for accessories that have been specifically designed, engineered and manufactured to fit with your particular make and model. If you’ve got a brand new Mitsubishi sitting in your driveway, it is recommended you use Mitsubishi Genuine Accessories, as they have been specifically designed and tested for your vehicle.
Useful exterior accessories include bonnet protectors, headlamp protectors, front mudflaps and weather shields. On the interior, particularly useful accessories can include a cargo area protector and carpet mats.



2. Get your car periodically serviced
Perhaps most importantly, you need to protect your investment with regular servicing and maintenance, in accordance with your vehicle’s periodic inspection and maintenance schedule. You can check yours here.
Genuine servicing and car maintenance of your vehicle by trained and accredited service staff will ensure the optimum performance, efficiency, safety and reliability of your vehicle.
When it comes to selling or trading in your vehicle, being able to show that it has been regularly serviced can make a huge big difference to its value.  


7. Look after your paintwork
Correctly maintaining your car’s paintwork can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping it looking new over time.
Applying wax to your vehicle can help prevent the build up of dust and road chemicals on your paintwork. It’s wise to apply a wax solution after washing your vehicle, at least once every three months. Never wax your vehicle in direct sunlight and only apply wax after the surfaces have cooled.
When it comes to polishing your paintwork, only polish your vehicle if the paintwork has become stained or lost its lustre. Matt-finish parts and plastic bumpers also shouldn’t be polished as this may stain them or damage their finish.
If your paintwork is damaged due to flying stones or corrosion, you can use touch up paint. A paint code number can be found on the vehicle information code plate in the engine compartment of all Mitsubishi vehicles.

A lot of physics are involved in a moving car. Weight, mass, speed, friction, energy and other techie stuff. Geometry is there as well with pitch, roll and yaw ... and you thought you'd never need maths again.
All those forces and actions are applied to just four smartphone-sized patches of rubber between you and the road. As the driver, you have the most control over just one of them with your right foot.
Too much speed, braking at the wrong time, tight turning angles, loss of friction because of slippery road conditions are just some aspects that can mean those small patches of rubber can't cope. That's when a good day can turn bad.
Then the engineers in the car-making factories invented anti-lock braking systems (ABS), which does exactly what its name suggests by preventing the wheels from locking when you brake - allowing you to steer the vehicle while safely bringing it to a stop.
Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) goes a little further than ABS with a collection of sensors that detect what impact all the various forces have on the car -- and then control the level of braking on each wheel independently.
Typically, the front end of a vehicle will carry the most weight so the EBD applies less pressure to the rear brakes, preventing them from locking and causing the car to skid.
EBD and ABS
Under heavy braking without ABS and EBD, typically the wheels will lock and the friction created between the road surface and the tyre will slow the car to a stop.
In a straight line on a dry, sealed road, this usually isn't a problem beyond needing a longer stopping distance and creating a flat spot on your tyre. Add in a bit of rain or a slippery surface, such as gravel, ice or snow, and the stopping distance has to increase.
By itself, ABS improves that situation significantly, preventing the wheels from locking and bringing the vehicle to a stop in a more controlled way.
When the wheels lock up on a corner, the angle that the front wheels are turned becomes irrelevant as the car's mass opts for a straight line which could mean crossing the white line into oncoming traffic, finding a ditch or meeting a tree.
Control of the car relies on its wheels continuing to turn. Under heavy braking, sensors monitor wheel speed and release pressure on individual wheels. Modern systems have individual brake lines to each wheel and can compensate for friction changes on different road surfaces. Less brake pressure is needed to lock a wheel on icy or gravel roads, compared to tar sealed surfaces.

If you have any concerns about the braking performance of your vehicle ring our Service Team on (06) 968 5679  to get it checked out.   

1. Keep your car in the garage
Keeping your vehicle in a garage when it’s not being used will protect it from the cold. Starting it will be a lot easier, putting less strain on the battery.
2. Ensure the battery is fixed securely
Vibration can cause damage to a battery’s case and plates. Ensure all terminals are cleaned regularly during every major service.
3. Keep your battery clean
A clean battery has a longer life. Cleaning your battery cables and terminals regularly will prevent corrosion build up.
If you already have corrosion on your battery, it can easily be removed with water, baking soda and a wire brush. Make sure you disconnect your terminals before getting started.
Once the terminals are clean, be sure to wipe with a cloth and cool water. Leaving any baking soda on your battery increases the possibility of more corrosion.
4. Listen for early warning sounds
One of the most common signs of a weak battery is a slow cranking when you start the car. If this happens, contact a battery specialist.
If the car battery is too weak to provide sufficient voltage to the starter, you’ll hear a distinctive clicking sound and the engine won’t crank over. The clicking could indicate that the battery is not fully charged and provides a starting point for further diagnosis.
5. Check the age of your battery
Older car batteries are more likely to have problems in winter and they’re less likely to recover after going flat. If your battery is more than three years old, it may need replacing.
If you find your vehicle slow to start after 30 minutes of listening to the radio, it might be time to get your system checked.



We have Batteries in Stock for a range of vehicles so call our Service Team on (06) 968 5679 to get your new battery fitted! 

With the Roads in our Region being extremely Icy recently we have collated some tips to help keep you safe.

Anticipation and smoothness is the key for driving on icy roads. Look well ahead for potential hazards and keep your speed well down.
Accelerate, brake, steer and change gear as smoothly as possible to reduce the risk of 
a skid.
A higher gear may be appropriate to aid grip on packed ice. This helps manage engine power delivery, making it easier to find traction. If it’s a manual, you might need to use the clutch a little to prevent the car from stalling. Many automatics will let you select second gear at a standstill to pull away in.
 
Braking In Icy Conditions
Braking distances can increase tenfold on ice compared with a dry road. For this reason, you should leave up to 10 times the normal recommended gap between you and the car in front.
Remember that tyres grip less efficiently in cold conditions. So even if the temperature is above zero and there’s no ice on the road, you should take extra care.

Black Ice
Black ice is a thin layer of ice on the road surface. Because it is smooth and transparent, it appears the same colour as the road below it.
Black ice can be almost invisible to drivers, which makes it particularly dangerous. As a guide, if the temperature is low and the road surface looks ‘wet’, be careful and allow plenty of space between you and the car in front.
Sometimes black ice appears as a glossy sheen on the road. If you’re lucky you may see it glinting in the sunlight, or spot cars ahead swerving for no obvious reason but in majority of cases, it’s likely you won’t see black ice at all.
Be particularly cautious on shaded stretches of road, bridges, flyovers and tunnels — anywhere the surface temperature may be lower. Quiet roads are also more likely to be affected.


How to Control a Skid on Ice
Continue to look and steer in the direction you want to go. Take your foot off the accelerator and avoid slamming on the brakes — although this might be a natural response, it will only upset the vehicle balance and make it harder to regain control.
Use the gears to slow down if necessary, but avoid any sudden movements that could destabilise the car.

Windscreen
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that you have a higher risk of crashing when your vision is impaired. Moist conditions combined with greasy screens — which are usually caused by people rubbing a fogged up screen clear with their bare hands — can cause smearing over the screen in certain light conditions.
Make sure you clean your screen and all interior glass properly with an automotive glass cleaner.
Got a set of worn wiper blades leaving streaks all over your windscreen? Buy a set of new wipers, and while you’re at it, ensure your wiper reservoir is full. 
Breaking down on a cold winter night is not a pleasant experience, so getting a pre-winter vehicle service can save you a big breakdown headache.
Your engine endures colder temperatures in winter and in turn, experiences increased wear. Fluids have the ability to freeze in sub-zero temperatures so radiator antifreeze concentration will need to be up to scratch.
It’s also helpful to add detergent to your windscreen washer reservoir. Leave some room so you can top it up with warm water if it freezes overnight. 
To help reduce the risk of your tyres losing traction on the road, check that your tread is at least 1.5mm deep and that you have correct and equal tyre pressure in all your tyres.
Battery
In the cold, wet weather your battery tends to be pushed to its limit, which can cause it to fail earlier than expected. If you have any doubts about your battery’s performance, we recommend getting it tested and replaced if necessary.
It’s also worth keeping a set of quality protected jumper cables in case of a breakdown, which could get you — or someone not as prepared as you — out of a sticky situation.
Headlights and tail lights
The days are shorter and the weather is worse during the winter months, so it’s essential to regularly walk around your car to check all of its lights are working.
Fully functioning lights not only help your own visibility while driving, but also ensure other drivers are able to see you.
Winter emergency kit
It may seem a bit extreme in some parts of New Zealand but carrying an emergency kit will put your mind at ease. In case of a breakdown or emergency, keep a supply kit in the boot containing a blanket, spare warm clothes, torch with batteries, first aid kit, a hi-vis jacket and some spare food and water.

Reverse Camera:
This is such a simple feature that comes in a lot of new cars today, and begs the question: how did we live without it? Once you shift to reverse, the screen automatically shows you what is behind you.
Mostly used as a parking aid by providing a bumper-level view, a backup camera can also assist with spotting a child or pedestrian in the blind zone behind the vehicle.

Forward Collision Mitigation:

If the vehicle ahead slows but you haven't braked, your vehicle will brake autonomously bringing you to a complete halt if necessary. 

Lane Assist:

When activated Lane Assist helps keep you from wandering into someone else's lane. A camera-based system detects the lane markings to keep you in the center  of the lane. If the system notices you are deviating too much to the left or right, it will gently steer you back to the correct position. Some systems jerk the brakes or tighten the seatbelt after visual warnings have been attempted to keep the driver alert. 

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To discuss further how the range of safety features available makes your driving safer, email us today.  

​From back country beast to road-hugging rig, MMNZ’s technical team has slammed down a new-look ute to join its Fieldays line-up – the Triton R Concept
The extreme opposite of its Fieldays stablemate Huntaway II, the new Triton R Concept is designed for streetside show and shines rather than off-road escapades.
“After adding 80mm to the height of the standard Triton, our technical team couldn’t resist seeing how far they could take it in the other direction,” says Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs Reece Congdon. “The R Concept sits just 50mm off the road; a whopping 230mm lower than the factory version. It just goes to show the scope for modification.”
Shod with 305/25x20 tyres on 20x10 rims, this pet project ticks all the boxes for modification-mad ute enthusiasts, with Brembo brakes and big discs setting off the eye candy of the running gear.
To achieve the extreme negative camber effect, a Pajero rear suspension unit has been fitted to the rear chassis, with a modified front suspension allowing the super-low ride stance to be balanced front and back.
A new grill and interior updates round out the low-slung unit, with a red front bumper its only identifiable link to its Huntaway II inspiration.

This Ute is a Fieldays concept and not for production or sale, but to achieve a similar look call Riaan on 0274 509 141   or Josh on 0275 001 581 today.

MS Taranaki fundraises, supports and advocates for those with Multiple Sclerosis in the Taranaki Region. As a friend of MS Taranaki WR Phillips is proud to help with fundraising for these Services.  

MS Taranaki is a registered Charity and runs Fundraising events such Quiz nights, Raffles, and Events. The organisation also organises volunteers for the Annual Street Appeal fundraiser. Coming up on the 30th of May is World MS Day, which encompasses the Bringing Us Closer Campaign. The objective of this campaign is to connect those affected with MS with those involved in MS research. 

Also running is an International Campaign, Kiss Goodbye to MS. The objective of this campaign is to give everyone a way to do something fun, glamorous or weird to raise money for MS. Get together with Schools, Communities or your Workplace to Wear, Dare or Share to raise funds for MS Advocacy throughout the World.  Follow this Link to  find out more about the Kiss Goodbye to MS Campaign : www.msnz.org.nz/kiss-goodbye-to-ms/ .  

DSG stands for Direkt-Schalt Getriebe or Direct-Shift Gearbox. This transmission uses twin electronically controlled clutches in place of the traditional single clutch to shift gears faster than a manual or automatic transmission. DSG Gearboxes don't feature a clutch pedal and are controlled in the same way as a traditional automatic gearbox. 

The usual torque converter is replaced by the two computer controlled clutches, one which operates on the odd numbered gears and one which operates on the even numbered gears. It changes gears simply by dis-engaging one clutch and engaging the other far quicker than an experienced could change gears manually. 

DSG gearboxes gives the driver numerous options when it comes to shifting gears. As well as fully automatic, most DSG gearboxes have the ability to change gears through a tiptronic manual mode, gearshift paddles and sport mode which quickens gear shifts. 

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                               With This Much Control, We Call It Super. 

Mitsubishi developed S-AWC Technology with the goal of realising "predictable handling" and "high margin of performance" at a very high level. 

Super All Wheel Control incorporates additional torque vectoring technologies to provide more predictive handling by managing the left to right driving and braking forces at an advanced level, for drivers who desire more control, capability and confidence, wherever and whenever they need it. 

This technology also incorporates Active Yaw Control. This advanced system uses real-time data from the steering wheel angle, yaw rate,driving torque,braking pressure and wheel speed to detect excessive rotational force on any given wheel. It applies ABS systems as required to the four wheels to quickly manage wheel speed and maximize traction, providing and enhanced, sporty feel in tight corners and improved safety when braking or accelerating in slippery or snow-covered turns. 
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